Most States Can Be Energy Independent, New Report Shows

A new report by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) suggests
that at least half of the fifty states could achieve energy
self-sufficiency with the help of locally-focused federal energy
policy. The findings should inform the energy policy of President-elect
Barack Obama.

"Renewable energy is unique because some form of it is available
everywhere," says ILSR Research Associate John Farrell, one of the
report's authors. "But federal policy unaccountably supports
centralized renewable power and provides incentives for heavy
investments in a nationwide transmission infrastructure to get that
energy to the final customer. That's regrettable because homegrown and
locally owned renewable energy is almost always cheaper, especially
when you factor in social, environmental and economic benefits."

Energy Self-Reliant States provides a state-by-state estimate of the
amount of electricity and transportation fuels that could be generated
by wind energy, solar energy, and biomass.

"We believe our estimates are conservative", says David Morris, Vice
President of ILSR. "Yet even with these conservative assumptions, the
dramatic conclusions should lead to a major revision in key federal and
state energy policies."

The full report, Energy Self-Reliant States: Homegrown Renewable Power, is available online at www.newrules.org